Claymont man charged after alleged gun threat near elementary school prompts alarm

Claymont man charged after alleged gun threat near elementary school prompts alarm

CLAYMONT, DE – A morning drop-off outside Claymont Elementary School was disrupted Wednesday after a man allegedly threatened two students with what they believed was a handgun, triggering a rapid police response and a criminal investigation that led to multiple felony charges.

The incident unfolded around 9:30 a.m. near the school at 3401 Green Street, where a red Nissan sedan arrived shortly before the start of the school day. According to Delaware State Police, a female passenger exited the vehicle to escort students inside while the driver moved the car and parked nearby on Green Street.

Investigators said the driver, later identified as 31-year-old Anthony Dejesus of Claymont, remained in the vehicle when two students approached him. During a verbal exchange, Dejesus allegedly displayed what appeared to be a handgun and threatened to shoot them. The students ran from the area and alerted school staff, who immediately called 9-1-1 and notified the school’s constable.

School response and suspect identification

Staff members approached the vehicle and spoke with the driver before he left the scene prior to police arrival. No injuries were reported, and authorities did not indicate any lockdown procedures, but the incident prompted swift investigative action.

Through follow-up investigation, detectives identified Dejesus as the suspect and determined he is prohibited from possessing firearms due to a prior domestic violence-related misdemeanor conviction.

Dejesus later turned himself in at Troop 2, where he was formally charged and arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2.

Charges and custody status

Dejesus faces multiple felony charges, including possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, aggravated menacing with two counts, and wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony. He is also charged with two counts of terroristic threatening.

Following arraignment, Dejesus was committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $41,000 cash bond.

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